Hours later, about five the next morning, Gojita woke to find herself in a sitting position on the landing of the stairs. She was about to ask herself what she was doing there when memories of watching her tousan unleash all the bottled up feelings on her kaasan and send him running flooded her mind. She sighed as she sat up, looking around in the darkness, although in her vision, it was as though it was day. Everything was orderly and neat as it was the day before. Nothing had been overturned or destroyed in his fury. Yet she knew, the safe aurora around the house was now shattered. Groaning, she stood up, holding onto the railing for support. Her head felt light and fuzzy, and her tongue felt as though she had swallowed a mouthful of swamp water.
"I wonder if tousan has gone to bed." She wondered aloud. Peering over the railings, her loud question was answered by the sight of Vegeta curled in a defensive ball on the floor. She stared in shock at the sight. Never in all her life had she known Vegeta to be so…so…soft. Not the yelling, mind you. Vegeta was always so strong and inspiring, he was always the one people knew would carry on, even when times seemed hopeless. And the only other time she had seen him cry was when she was three, and he was worried sick about her when she went into the heart of the forest to retrieve the code from that bastard bird.
And now, she saw what he felt on the inside. Hell, she could feel it too! Pain, agony, remorse, depression, loss…all those sad, demoralizing emotions that he had done his damndest to conceal. And it's all because of me… she thought miserably. She had never intended it to end up like this. She had expected a bit of yelling, blasts from the past, but she didn't think it would've gone so far as to send her kaasan running in hatred of himself. Gojita felt guilty. She would've started crying again, but managed to suppress the tears. It wouldn't do for the Saiyan no Oujo to start crying all over again. And it most certainly wouldn't do to just leave her tousan on the floor! Gojita slowly made her way down to the living room, and managed to gently drag her tousan up the stairs to his bedroom. Hey, even though Vegeta is small [and kawaii!! ^u-], Gojita was only a chibi. Before placing him in his bed, she undressed him down to his boxers [I can't say strip!! That's just perverse!!], opened the bed and somehow managed to tuck him in.
For the next hour, she sat by his side. She knew he was going to be okay, but she wasn't entirely sure of that fact. She had just brought up emotional wounds from the past that had not healed, and Vegeta would be anything but okay.
"I'm so sorry, tousan." She apologized to him, even though he was fast asleep. "I…I didn't mean for you and kaasan to get hurt all over again. I…I just wanted you two to be happy again." Vegeta did nothing. He just lay in his bed, fast asleep, exhausted from crying so much. Well, who can blame him? She thought. Tousan has never dealt with anything like this. Sure, he's been in his own share of soul-scarring fights, but none so like this! It's as though he's having a battle with his pride. Gojita didn't know it, but she was dead right. Vegeta was having trouble determining what to do. His pride always got him through battles and arguments, but what was he to do on the subject of love? Gojita knew that when he woke up, he'd be pretty depressed, and most likely in a funny mood. But she knew it wouldn't be as bad that she'd have to keep all sharp and poisonous objects away from him.
"What am I going to do?" she asked aloud. "I can't just leave you here, tousan. I don't know whether you'll need me or not, but I have to be around for you when you want me. But…" she paused. "I can't just let kaasan run like that. I know that you know that what you said was an unfair accusation. And I know that you'd love nothing more than to be reunited with kaasan again. But can't you see? Your pride is getting in the way!" she paused as she looked to her sleeping father.
And, for the first time, she saw him in a new light. He wasn't just the strong, arrogant, proud and powerful ouji. He was also a mother as well as her tousan. An angel from the stars. He was a tough and independent, but he needed the touch of another to keep him so. He may have pretended that he was more than fine with being solitary, but truth was, he despised it. He was everything he said he despised and hated. Why? Because he didn't want to be thought of as weak. He didn't want to be broken. Gojita gulped back her heart that had somehow shifted up to her throat.
"Oh, tousan." She mumbled softly. "I know you did the right thing, letting it all out. Even though what you said wasn't true, that was just how you felt. I understand now." She nodded. "And now, kaasan has to do his bit." But she knew Goku most likely wouldn't take one step back into their house, not after what happened the day before. Well, he might…but not on his own. Someone would have to persuade him. And that someone is me! She declared in thought. I have to find out where kaasan is in order to get him to come back. Besides, I already have to apologize…
Gojita stood up and looked over her tousan. She had made up her mind. Vegeta had just vetted out all that was held inside of him, and now he needed to be put to rest. He needed to hear what Goku wanted to tell him. Gojita went to the bathroom for a quick wash, and then back to her room to change into her normal gi. She then trotted downstairs, made herself a quick breakfast…by saiyan standards…and trotted out the door. Before she left, though, she left a note for her tousan, telling him where she would be. She didn't want him to wake up and have a panic attack when he couldn't find her! Checking her spelling and grammar, she nodded her head in approval, placed it on the coffee table and left the house, flying back to Capsule Corp.
Goku lay in his bed, body curled into a ball, sheets bound tightly around his legs and shoulders. It had been, what? About fourteen hours since Vegeta had kicked him out of his house and Goku was still feeling depressed. Was that what he done to Vegeta? Did he really make him feel so…used? Goku didn't know. All he knew was that he had lied to his love out of fear. He didn't mean to break, rip and tear his heart. Once again, he felt incredibly guilty. Poor 'Geta. He thought as he wiped away the thick saline trails his tears had left. All this time he was hiding his heart in fear that something like this would happen. And it did. He didn't know how Vegeta was taking it. He didn't want to know. Thoughts of causing his loved one pain made him hate himself even more. And after hearing what Vegeta told him about how he made him feel just made him want to kill himself. Maybe I should. He thought. Get it over and done with. I mean, Chichi's screaming isn't getting any better…actually, it's getting worse. And, now there's nothing left for me. Vegeta hates me, my sons barely know me…then he remembered his daughter; Gojita. He didn't know if she wanted to have anything to do with him, but he had hope after he remembered the words she had told him.
'Kaasan…I could never hate you. You brought me into this world. All I ever wanted to know was why. I could never hate you…'
Yes, that was it. He had to stay alive for her. He had already abandoned her by leaving her by Vegeta, and he sure as hell wasn't going to do it again! Right! Then on Monday, I'm going to take her aside and talk to her about this. If Vegeta doesn't want to have anything to do with me, that's his choice…and clearly understandable. But if Gojita still wants to be around me, I just have to know! Goku gave himself a feeble smile before trying to settle back down into his blankets. But he found it impossible. He was still very hurt over what had happened between him and Vegeta, and no matter what he told himself, he couldn't help but wish that Vegeta would, one day, love him again.
He stood on the outskirts of the town. Yes, this was the same town he had absorbed all those years back. Now, there was no need to absorb them again. He remembered what Vegeta had told him; if he wanted to increase his power, he should've just absorbed a saiyan. But, of course, back then, Vegeta was just being cocky and arrogant, and he paid dearly for that. He didn't know why he didn't just kill him and get the baka out the way, but he had an inkling that he thought a broken pride was worse than death.
"Seems I was wrong." He muttered to himself in his airy, yet arrogant, voice. After that, Vegeta proved to be a distraction. "If I had just killed that pesky ouji, that brat wouldn't have been able to fire his finishing blast at me!" he said bitterly. But then the corners of his mouth turned up into a smirk. "But he didn't managed to kill me. Deeply wound me, yes, but I survived."
And now, he was back for revenge. He wanted so dearly to destroy Gohan and Vegeta. He wanted to wipe all of the Z Senshi off that face of the Earth! Their wives included. And he knew he would succeed. He had been training for many years, and had managed to surpass the level that a super saiyan could defeat. In fact, he had gone beyond that. He had reached levels far beyond that of a super saiyan. Not even Goku, in SSJ2, could defeat him. In all fact, not even SSJ3 could cut it; but then again, he didn't know anything about that. He had been too busy training himself for this day. The day when he finally killed all those who defeated him.
"Well, at least they thought so." He sneered to himself. "Poor pitiful ningens, and saiyans," he added with a chuckle. "Thinking they could kill me? Thinking that they could destroy the most perfect being in the entire universe? I think not! I may be a Jinzouningen, but I am perfect in every aspect. My speed, my strength, my incredibly good looks," he smirked. "And now's the day when they find out that I am truly perfect. Although, it will cost them at a price." His smirk broadened as he turned his back to the town to carry on around it.
"Death."
She flew high over the city, flying at such a speed that no one would be able to see her. But all the while, she was hoping that none of the Z Senshi would feel her either. It would be pretty awkward if they found out before the three of them had gotten things sorted, and in all cases, it might make things worse. I just hope that everything turns out all right in the end… she thought as she neared the huge, dome shaped building.
Gojita landed on the pavement with the soft tapping of her boots, making sure that no nosy ningen had seen her land. Once she saw she was clear, she opened the gate and walked up the path to the huge building. Standing by the door, glancing up at the intercom, she hovered up to read the different areas she could call in on.
"Let's see," she muttered. "There's the lab, no. The secretaries office, no. The family, hai! That's the one!" she cheered as she pressed the button. There was a sort of buzz and she quickly lowered herself back down to the ground in case someone was quick at answering the door. She stood only for a few moments before Trunks opened the door.
"Hello?" he asked, looking left and right. Gojita giggled at the sight. Trunks looked so baffled, it was too cute not to giggle at!
"Hello!" she answered. He looked around more rapidly than before. "Yoo-hoo! Down here!" Trunks looked down to see the tiny, midnight haired chibi smiling up at him. He smiled in return. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Trunks."
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Gojita." He greeted in return as he bent down to be eye level with her. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"
"Saa, I used my usual mode of transportation," AKA, flying…but I can't tell you that just yet. "And I came here to ask you something."
"Oh, honto ni?"
"Hai. I wanted to know where Kakarot lives."
"Kakarot…oh! You mean Son Goku!" he said. "Why?"
"I just wanted to thank him for giving me a ride on his Kinto'un."
"Oh, I see." He smiled at his half sister. "Well, come on in. I'll just have look…" Gojita stepped in after Trunks and followed him down the hall. He walked into the kitchen where the Briefs were having breakfast.
"OH! Ohayo chibi Gojita!" chirped Bunny.
"Gojita?" asked Bulma as she turned around. "Oh, ohayo!"
"Ohayo there, Gojita." Greeted Mr Briefs.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, minna-san." She bowed politely.
"My, so polite…" smiled Mr Briefs.
"What brings you here, Gojita-san?" asked Bulma.
"I just came here to find out where Kakarot lives." She said.
"Yeah, I'm looking it up in the address book." Said Trunks as he paged through the thick, shock pink book, a sign that it was Bulma's.
"Oh, Trunks." Chuckled Bulma. "You go over often enough to Goten to know where he lives!" Trunks scowled, looking very much like Vegeta.
"So?" he huffed. "Just because I go there often doesn't mean I know the address!" Bulma chuckled some more at this. Gojita couldn't help but smile at him when he scowled. He reminded her just a little bit of their tousan. Tee hee…seems like tousan had an effect on him! She giggled in thought. He paged through furiously until he finally came to the address. "Ah! Here it is! Son Goku and Chichi." No one noticed, but Gojita scowled darkly at her name. She despised that woman who called herself a wife. If her tousan ever married a woman that was like her, she'd kill her the first time she raised her voice to him, no questions asked.
Memo to me, she thought. If she yells at kaasan while I'm there…break both her arms and legs.
"They live at 439 East District, got that?" she wiped the dark look off her face and smiled up at him.
"Hai, I got it. 439 East District."
"You need me to write that down?"
"Iie, it's okay. I can manage." She turned to walk out, only to be stopped by Bunny.
"Oh wait! How are you going to get there?"
"The same way I got here." She answered. They nodded their heads, thinking that she took public transport.
"Well, before you go…how about trying some of my delicious chocolate brownies!" she chirped as she whipped out a pan full of dark brown brownies, a thick layer of chocolate scent hanging around them. Both Trunks and Gojita drooled at the sight.
"I don't want to impose, but…" she tried to say.
"Oh, please stay and try some." She pleaded. "I would like your opinion as you are from the outside."
"Hey! Isn't my opinion valuable enough?!" sputtered Trunks, slightly envious.
"Of course it is!" she cooed. "It's just that I want to get an honest answer! You say everything of mine is delicious!"
"But it is!" both saiyans said simultaneously. Bunny just carelessly waved it off before turning back to Gojita.
"Well, will you share some with Trunks?" Gojita wanted to say no, as she knew the sooner she got to Goku, the sooner this whole ordeal would be sorted out. But then again, no one said anything about not having a quick chocolate brownie break with her half brother. And besides, the rich smell of chocolate was so thick and tempting, she couldn't say no!
"Saa-aaa…" she said in a teasing, uncertain tone as she rocked on her heels. "Okay!" Bunny smiled at her, as did Trunks.
"They're all yours!" she said as she sat out two trays before the now seated saiyans.
"Okay, first one to finish all their brownies get to finish the rest of the other!" smirked Trunks.
"You're on!" Gojita smirked back.
Vegeta rolled over onto his other side as the morning sun hit his face, warming him up too fast for his likings. He felt sick, as his head felt sore and his eyes were lined with a thin layer of salt from his dried up tears. His body also felt cramped, and his insides felt like Buu all over again. He didn't understand it. Why did he scream and yell like that? He knew that's what he had been holding in him for the past six years, but he never thought it would come out so terribly. His whole plan was to ease it out, just to let him know that he wasn't going to let him back in if he was going to do the same. But it had all just come out. Nothing was worded right, nothing was made to sound gentle. It was all raw emotions put into words. Well, he never was one to beat around the bush, and his words were usually blunt. But this seemed to be pretty sharp. Now he not only made himself feel bad, but Goku too. Even though that's what he wanted him to feel, he didn't want him to. No, it was his pride with the sense of revenge. He wanted to hold the tall saiyan close, search his face for any signs of affection that he might have left. But, yet again, his pride got the better of him. He knew he couldn't deny his head, but he couldn't deny his body either. He wanted him back so badly!
He rolled over to sit up on his bed. Blinking a couple of times, he tried to contemplate on how he got up there when the last thing he remembered was passing out on the living room floor from exhaustion. But he felt a little too crap to actually care, and shrugged it off. Slowly, he clambered out of the tangle of sheets and made his way to the bathroom for a shower. After trying to refresh himself, Vegeta felt clean, but still remorseful. He slunk down the stairs to the kitchen where he made himself a saiyan breakfast, but found he couldn't eat. He felt too guilty to do the simple task.
"What have I done?" he muttered to himself. "I denied myself of my true underlying feelings, and I denied Gojita any access to her kaasan." He lolled his head on the dining room table, silently wondering what he should do, when he ran his head against paper. "Hmm?" he frowned as he sat up, picking the paper up along with himself. His eyes wandered over the small note, widening as he carried on reading.
"Dear Tousan,
"I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you and kaasan. I only wanted you to be happy, but it seems I have caused problems.
"I've gone over to kaasan's home to apologize.
"I hope you forgive me.
"Gojita." Vegeta slowly dropped his arm in shock. She was going over to Goku! "Shimatta!!" he cursed as he grabbed his jacket as he ran out the front door. "I have to stop her before she does anything foolish!!"
Trunks sat back, hand resting on his slightly bulging stomach. He had a thin trail of chocolate leading from the corner of his mouth to his chin. He looked down at Gojita who looked well sated. Even though she was just a chibi, she had an incredible appetite! One worthy to match Goku's, but even then, he'd still be able to beat her. She had totally surprised him with her voracious, yet neat, way of eating. It was like looking at a female chibi version of his father. Of what he could remember at least. It had been so many years since he had been with his father, the small things that she did reminded him of Vegeta, and were gladly welcomed.
"So, who won?" he asked with a cheeky grin. Gojita looked up at him with a smirk plastered onto her face.
"Me, of course!" she said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You did not!"
"I did so!"
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
"Hey, cut it out you two!" scolded Bulma with a grin on her face. "Honestly, the way you two go on around each other, it's like you're brother and sister!" Trunks and Gojita looked at each other and grinned in amusement. Trunks, in amusement as a wish that she was his little sister. Gojita, in amusement that only she really was. Gojita then got a quick glance at the clock. Waa-oops! It's already ten!! I'd better be going if I want to catch kaasan! She stood up and turned to her hosts.
"Dom arigato, minna-san." She bowed down politely. "But I had better be going if I'm ever going to get to 439 East District." They nodded.
"That's okay. We enjoyed having you over." Said Mr Briefs.
"Yeah, we must really have some more of those food eating contests." Smirked Trunks. Gojita smirked back.
"Aren't you a glutton for punishment…if you'll pardon the pun."
"Hehehe…you're welcome here anytime, Gojita!" chirped Bunny.
"Are you sure you don't need a lift the Goku's house?" Gojita shook her head.
"It's kind of you to offer, but I'd like to do this on my own." It was true, she didn't want them to know just yet, even though she was bursting to tell them. She liked them, she really did. And most of them were her family, and her friends. But she couldn't go against her tousan, her kaasan or even herself! "Well, ja ne!" Trunks stood up and walked her to the door. He had something he wanted to tell her in private.
"Gojita…"
"Hmm?" she asked as she looked up at him.
"I want to ask you something."
"Uhh…okay." She said, not really sure what he was going to ask, but hoping that he wouldn't ask anything that required an answer that linked to Vegeta!
"I was wondering if…you, uhh…you know…" he blushed, feeling stupid about acting all jittery in front of a chibi. "You think of me as your friend."
"Huh?" she asked, obviously stumped by this sudden question. "What do you mean? Well, I…uh…yeah. I guess…why?" she asked.
"Well, it's just that…I don't know why, but I think of you as family." He looked up into the sky. "Ever since m y father left us, everything you've ever done, reminds me of him. The way you act, the way you eat, the way you talk…it's like I'm seeing him again." Gojita was silent as Trunks spoke. So…he does feel that link too. The one that says we're related.
"Umm…does Goten and Gohan feel the same?" she asked, curiously. Trunks blinked at her with wide eyes.
"Hai…well, at least, that's what they tell me…"
"Do they say that I remind them of Kakarot?"
"Hai…but…how did you know?" Gojita knew she was letting out a considerable amount of classified information that was only supposed to be confidential between Vegeta, Goku and herself, but she wanted him to know. She honestly didn't want to live the rest of her life out pretending that she and her half brothers were just friends! She smiled at him sweetly.
"I feel the same way," she said. "Toransku." Trunks looked like a heavy safe had just fallen on his foot, as his eyes bugged out so large Gojita was sure they fall out of their sockets.
"But…how…you…" Gojita turned around, her front facing the gate and her back turned to Trunks.
"I can remember how kawaii you were when you were ten." She said softly. "You were the first ako I ever saw, Toransku."
"Na…nani??!" now Trunks was freaked. How does she know my real name??! I never told her that!!
"I can't tell you now, but I will one day." she said. "Then, maybe we can call this feeling what it really is."
"Gojita…"
"Sayonara, Trunks." She said softly as she walked out the front gate and onto the pavement. Trunks stared at her retreating form, wanting to run after her and demand a meaning to what she just said. But something inside of him was rather comfortable with that. Something inside of him said that he needn't get worked up about it, as it was something wonderful and pleasant. And Trunks listened to that little voice.
Gojita walked a couple of blocks before deciding she could now fly over to Goku's house.
"Right, Trunks said it was 439 East District…which means it's in that direction!" Gojita hovered up high before blasting off into the direction of Goku's house…
…Not knowing of the life-threatening danger that lurked in between.
He lurked low in the canyons, not really wanting to be seen by any foolish ningen that would happen to be flying overhead. He didn't want anyone to report a strange looking creature in the canyon, then have the entire newscast hovering around him, destroying his plan on surprising the Z Senshi. It was also because he didn't want, should they be flying over, one of the Z Senshi to spot him. He planned on taking them out one by one, not giving them any chance to gang up together. He didn't want to take any risks in his revenge. The last time, he gotten too cocky for himself and that was his downfall. But this time, he was prepared for it. He knew that they had most likely been training as well, but definitely not as much as him. All in all, he expected that he maybe was just a little bit stronger…but only just a little bit.
"That's why I require the art and tactic of surprise." He smirked to himself. "They may be ready for it, but I doubt they can see it coming. They still think I'm dead." But even though he told himself to wait, he couldn't suppress the urge to fight just one of the Z Senshi.
"Just one." He muttered. "But where will I find this one? I can sense Krillin, Juuhachi-gou, Gohan and Goku by Goku's home, along with two other unidentified powers. Trunks is by Capsule Corp, and I can't feel Vegeta or Piccolo." He jumped up onto a rock, looking up into the sky, reaching out as far as possible to search for the other two. "Fuck it!" he cursed. "Where are…"
Suddenly, he picked up another power. A higher power than that of Gohan, Trunks or any of the other Z Senshi he could feel at that moment. He could feel that this…person…was very small. Smaller than Vegeta. Even smaller than Krillin!! He couldn't feel out its gender, which meant that it was still very young, it hadn't reached puberty yet.
"Hmm…curious." He muttered. "There is something small, yet very powerful flying over in this direction. I wonder what it could be…" he looked to the sky in silence for a few minutes. Then, an evil smirk pulled at his lips. "Yes, this is the perfect opportunity to satisfy my desire to release some of my power." His smirk deepened. "Maybe I'll just play around with it for a bit before I actually kill whatever it is."
Gojita flew over the canyons, not really noticing anything around her. She was far too busy trying to think of something to say to persuade Goku into coming back. Unfortunately, she was a little too busy. The next thing she knew, she felt a very powerful ki fly up before her. Gojita instantly hit the brakes. She whipped her head up to see some strange green man hovering in front of her…and it wasn't Piccolo!
"Hello there."
